Ferring Pharmaceuticals Collaborates with MetaboGen AB on Development of Microbiome-Based Treatment for Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)

SAINT-PREX, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ferring Pharmaceuticals and MetaboGen AB today announced a multi-year
research collaboration aimed at developing a microbiome-based product to
prevent and treat intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a
potentially serious liver disorder which affects around 400,000 pregnant
women annually.

The genes and gene products produced by the trillions of microorganisms
that live in the human body are collectively known as the microbiome.
Current research into the microbiome is changing perspectives on health
and disease, but there are still many factors that are not yet properly
understood.

MetaboGen AB has developed and patented a concept for how patterns of
bacteria in the gut could affect ICP. Ferring will fund an exploratory
study to demonstrate this concept and define differences in the
microbiome of healthy women and women with a history of IPC. Recruitment
of patients for the 18-month study will begin on December 6, 2016 and
will be conducted in cooperation with the Women’s Clinic in Lund, Sweden.

“Ferring is one of the few pharmaceutical companies actively investing
in research and development of new products in the obstetrics field,”
said Alan Harris, Senior Vice President, R&D, Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
“This collaboration demonstrates Ferring’s commitment to advancing
research in the microbiome field in order to identify and develop
innovative treatments that work on the body’s own terms, in this case
for mothers and babies.”

“ICP is an indication in need of new and effective products that can
improve both quality of life and quality of treatment for patients,”
said Sara Malcus, CEO, MetaboGen AB. “We are very pleased to partner
with a scientific leader in women’s health, and look forward to working
with Ferring in this exciting area.”

ENDS

About Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a potentially serious
liver disorder that can develop in pregnancy. IPC affects about 400,000
pregnant women annually and is a recurrent disease: 70% of women who
have been diagnosed with ICP during their first pregnancy will be
affected again in following pregnancies. In addition to itching, which
may be intense and very uncomfortable for the mother, there are links
between ICP and preterm birth and gestational diabetes.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Headquartered in Switzerland, Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a
research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global
markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative
products in the areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology,
endocrinology and orthopaedics. Ferring has its own operating
subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries and markets its products in 110
countries. To learn more about Ferring or its products please visit www.ferring.com.

About MetaboGen AB

MetaboGen is a research-driven company with a focus on the microbiome
and its impact on health, based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company was
founded based on break through science from the labs of Professor
Fredrik Bäckhed (University of Gothenburg) and Professor Jens B Nielsen
(Chalmers University of Technology). Since 2011, MetaboGen develops
products based on advanced mapping of the intestinal microflora
composition. In 2014 BioGaia AB invested in the company. MetaboGens
technology along with more than 25 years of experience in the
development of probiotics from BioGaia, provides the company with a
unique opportunity to develop the next generation of microbial products.
For more information see www.metabogen.com